JH - a couple things happened that were grave. With 3:51 left, three straight
turnovers. We only had 10 for the game. We also uncharacteristically fouled
them a lot. Plus we missed some key foul shots down the stretch. But the difference
was offensive rebounding. We knew that would be the key to the game but we still
couldn't do anything about it. Man to man defense was strong but rebounding
was not.
No doubt
Kentucky is the best team in the conference, and perhaps in the country.
JH not even sure Arizona could handle them right now. JH pointed out that Ezra
and Jarvis had guys all over them the entire game.
There were times against Ole Miss where we only handled the ball a few seconds
but had open looks, but in a game like Kentucky, you really have to execute
your offense.
This is kind of a mini-NCAA tournament weekend for us; we know how tough that
will be. JH was again very pleased with the strong crowd. Hopefully the crowd
will be just as loud Tuesday night when
Florida comes in.
It looks like UGA will finish #3 in the East, which means we'll play either
Ole Miss or
Arkansas in the first round. UK leads Florida by two games with
two left; Florida has a three game lead over UGA.
Robert in Midtown - actually calling from Colorado, where is right now. Expressed
his support and prayers for JH. He commented on how different the game looks
on TV. What about the trap defense; we used it early in jumping out 7-0? JH
said we'd use the press from time to time. When you get back on the press
if they beat it, you don't always have the defensive matchups. Florida puts
more players on the floor who can dribble, pass and shoot.
Nick in Roswell - concerned with ball-handling problems in general, not just
at the key juncture. JH reminded him we only had 10 turnovers, but those were
all at crucial time. We were playing a strong defensive team with long arms
that gets in the passing lanes. You have to give Kentucky credit.
Jim in Winder - had to be dropped .. (about the investigation?)
Larry in
Louisville, KY - HS coach in that area, wanted to express support for
JH. Also asked about coaching instruction tapes which used to be online. JH
told him to write him at the UGAA.
Scott gave the disclaimer again coming out of commercial break @ 8:27 pm.
John from Gainesville thanked Scott for his play by play work and wondered if
we could avoid scheduling games in conflict with the Tech game & SEC football
title game. Scott laughed and JH said you don't have many Saturdays to work
with. About the SEC tourney, the caller asked about a different format, and
mentioned something his son came up with, letting higher seeded teams host the
first round games. JH reminded the caller that the tournament is a big money-maker
for the SEC. JH noted that we've got the 3rd best overall record in the
SEC, went undefeated against the West, but still have to play a play-in (first
round) game.
Chad in Douglasville asked what key mistake we have to correct before the Florida
game. JH said we need to be more patient on offense. We can't shoot quickly
against great defensive teams. Also, JH hopes we can rebound better against
Florida. Our guys really wanted to win today, but just uncharacteristically
threw it away three straight times late in the game.
Mike from Augusta - noted UK collapsing on us on defense. He's also worried
about Ezra's foul shooting. JH said UK is collapsing on everyone; that's
why they're the no. 2 ranked team in the country. Ezra has not shot FTs
as well as JH hoped; in fact, JH doesn't think we shoot FTs as well as we
did last year. Scott noted we dropped to 4th in the SEC after today's game.
Brittany asked if Florida would pick up our plays quickly and stopped them.
JH said everyone knows what everyone else does, but if you execute, you should
still get good shots.
Jason from Augusta, on his home from the game, was very impressed with the effort
today. How much of a disadvantage are we at when UK runs it offense through
the post and we have to pass it around the perimeter. JH said he almost made
the Final Four at Rhode Island with a team about the same size as ours.
Michelle from Waycross - enjoyed seeing subs, including Gibson, in the first
half. Fred came out, then got sick a couple of times. He's just coming back
and it has been tough for him to get into the flow. And we need to use Richard
Wehunt more. Wehunt was ill today and did not dress out. Several guys have had
the flu recently.
Charlie from Athens, later on, asked again about Gibson. JH said something good
always seems to happen when Gibson gets in the game.
Rick from Woodstock - wondered why did not try to get an extra foul on Estill
today? JH said we did, threw it in to Thomas, but he pulled up and took a jumper
instead of taking it to the hoop.
Jeremy from Memphis - asked about Wehunt and about Estill of UK. JH thought
Thomas did a decent job against Estill on defense, but rebounding was our problem.
We couldn't handle their other big guy. Scott asked about fronting Estill,
but JH was afraid they could throw it over the top. What he did to us today
he has done to everyone JH has watched tape of.
Rob from Atlanta - asked about Jarvis. JH said he would be fine. Scott added
he just got a low blow.
We had beaten Florida two straight years there, but had not beaten them here.
JH is impressed with how their freshmen have been their best players when the
going gets tough. Roberson hit that one to beat us, then hit one at Vandy to
force OT.
JH said this is the time all coaches get excited. Anytime you can go to the
NCAA tourney it is great, since it is the Greatest Show on Earth in his opinion.
From the SEC, JH notes
LSU is really coming on strong. (He checked the schedules
with Scott.) Bama has a great RPI and could get in at 7-9. Either Bama or
LSU will finish 7-9, since they have to play each other.
Tennessee is 15-10
overall, 7-7 in the SEC, but JH thinks Tennessee will have to do something in
the tourney.
Auburn is 18-9 overall but their RPI is not good. JH still thinks
we'll get 6 teams in, but is not sure now about 7. If Tennessee wins twice
this week, they'll get in.
JH thought we made some fouls we haven't made all years. We have policies
about not fouling when the shot clock in under 10 seconds and when the score
is tied late in the game. Both of those happened today.
Between now and Tuesday, the staff will review the UK film, but may not until
after the Florida game. We now have to focus on Florida, since we have such
a short turnaround. JH explained that this is a mini-tournament. Today's
effort would've won a lot of games. But we were playing one really solid
club today, and our effort wasn't good in the last 3:50 or so.
Ezra, Wehunt and one manager will be honored in Senior Night festivities before
the Florida game. Also, JH likes bringing back a former player before each game.
They laid the groundwork for guys to play here.
JH noted we were #5 in the RPI before today's game, with the #1 strength
of schedule, but Scott did not have updated RPI info.
Comments